Halfway through the 2012-13 NBA season, the rookie class has looked good but not great. But players are starting to heat up, and the rookie of the year race has gone from a one-man romp to a more interesting spectacle. Flip through this gallery for the top 15 rookies so far this season (statistics through Jan. 21). Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports

1. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: The point guard out of Weber State has been the frontrunner for rookie of the year most of the season. He started hot and has earned coach Terry Stotts' trust, giving him about seven more minutes a game than any other rookie, which allows him to average 18.3 points and 6.6 assists a game. But he has been less consistent and efficient lately. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets: The top overall pick has struggled with ankle issues most of the season, so his minutes have been limited. He's missed 13 games because of those ankle problems and a concussion. But he has been very efficient when he's played, averaging 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 29.1 minutes a game. Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

3. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons: The 19-year-old center was expected to be very raw after one year at Connecticut, and his 19.8 minutes a game reflect that. But his play has been superb in that time, and he averages 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game as perhaps the Pistons' best defender. Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports

4. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards: The former Florida shooting guard has come into his own in January, particularly since the return of point guard John Wall. His season numbers (13.6 points a game on 38.8% shooting) aren't impressive, but this month he has averaged 17.1 points on 46.1% shooting including an impressive 58.0% on threes. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

5. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats: The athletic small forward from Kentucky has not solved the Bobcats' many problems, but he has rebounded well and scored efficiently, as was expected. The second overall pick has played only 27.0 minutes a game but averaged 10.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

6. Alexey Shved, Minnesota Timberwolves: The 24-year-old Russian has shown great instincts as a playmaker while struggling with his shot. The Olympic bronze medalist averages 10.7 points and 4.6 assists a game while starting occasionally. Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

7. Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers: The surprise No. 4 pick has a longer rope than any rookie but Lillard because of the Cavaliers' injuries and weak perimeter depth. He has taken advantage by shooting 14.3 times a game, but his efficiency hasn't been very good at 38.1%. The Syracuse product averages 14.8 points and 3.1 assists in 30.2 minutes a game. Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

8. Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic: The 19th overall pick out of St. Bonaventure has carved out a nice role as a scoring big man off the bench. He averages 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.0 minutes a game. Jennifer Stewart, USA TODAY Sports

9. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors: The Lithuanian center, picked fifth in the 2011 draft, was beginning to show his potential when a broken finger in late December cost him more than a month. He's started all 28 games he's played this season, averaging 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.4 minutes a game, and he should be back soon. Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE US PRESSWIRE

10. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks: The North Carolina star's lanky frame worried draftniks, and he started the season with a knee sprain in October. But his minutes increased around the turn of the year, and his production has been solid with it. The No. 14 pick's averages of 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 13.0 minutes a game make him one of the most efficient players in the class. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports

11. Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors: North Carolina's more hyped prospect has been one of the most erratic players in the class. The small forward starts for a likely playoff team, but his individual performance on both ends has been inconsistent. He averages 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 25.4 minutes a game. Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

12. Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics: The two-time All-American at Ohio State has shown his rebounding ability off the bench. His 6.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes a game show his strength as well as his lack of fitness and injury concerns. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

13. Brian Roberts, New Orleans Hornets: The former Dayton star spent years in Europe before impressing in the preseason and landing a roster spot. He has outplayed fellow Hornets rookie combo guard Austin Rivers, the ninth pick of the draft, in averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 assists in 14.4 minutes a game while showing great shooting range. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

14. Chris Copeland, New York Knicks: The 28-year-old small forward spent the past five season traversing Europe before reaching his NBA dream in the league's biggest stage. He's relished the chance, showing aggressive instincts to score 6.7 points in 12.6 minutes a game and even starting six times. Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports

15. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers: The 20-year-old center still is adjusting to the NBA game but has shown great potential. At 4.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.5 minutes a game, his numbers mostly are the product of the Blazers' reliance on a small rotation and an ankle sprain that sidelined him for three weeks. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports